Title of the position: Country Representative – Colombia / Brazil
Location: Bogota Colombia
Duration: 1 year, renewable according to the performance achieved
Start date: as soon as possible
Direct manager: Executive Director
About Protection International
Protection International ( PI ) is an international NGO that contributes to improving the protection of human rights defenders ( HRD ) worldwide. PI provides tools to develop the capacity of human rights defenders to manage their own security while fighting impunity and working for human rights and democracy in their respective countries or regions. PI seeks to contribute to a situation in which human rights defenders are recognized as legitimate actors in social change and to an environment in which they can exercise their right to defend human rights.
While the office of the global team of Protection International is located in Brussels, Belgium, our work with human rights defenders extends beyond Europe to Latin America, Central and Eastern Africa and Southeast Asia. We have a long-term presence in Colombia, Guatemala, the DR of Congo, Kenya, Thailand and Indonesia; and we work with local grassroots partner organizations around the world. In Colombia we have been working for 12 years with human rights communities in various regions of the country.
In alliance with the Open Truth Foundation, in December 2022, Protection International in Colombia signed a new contract with the European Union for the execution of the project called “ New local narratives to combat disinformation and stigmatization about the defense action of human rights and community journalism in Colombia ”. This position is created within the framework of said project.
General objective of the position
The/The IP Representative in Colombia is responsible for the global management of IP operations – in Colombia and neighboring countries – and contributes with her specific technical competences to the implementation of IP activities and objectives. The Representative is the first link between PI and its local partners for the operation of the program.
Functions and responsibilities
Strategic direction
- Design the strategy to be developed to consolidate the work in Colombia, Brazil and South America.
- Keep updated the diagnosis of opportunities and needs as well as design / update the strategy for the protection of human rights defenders at risk in Colombia, Brazil and South America with a territorial approach and taking into account local realities and innovative actions that can complement the existing initiatives of other civil society actors. Supervise the design and implementation of annual work and annual budgets in Colombia, Brazil and South America in line with the IP Global Strategy 2019-2023; and in coordination with local IP partners.
External political / strategic policies and commitments
- Contribute to the development of the IP security plan for Colombia, Brazil and other countries in South America where IP can work, implement, update and comply with it.
- Provide political analysis for the global vision on how we transform and change the world in line with our Theory of Change and ways
- Analyze the political context in Colombia, Brazil and South America, and its impact on the work of defenders, identifying new trends and areas of intervention.
- Productively engage with relevant stakeholders, diplomatic missions, UN agencies, local NGOs, communities and NGOs; and government authorities.
- Identify new trends, risks and events that affect women’s human rights defenders and propose practical interventions aimed at increasing their safety.
MEAL
- Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework jointly with / in coordination with Global IP that will be applied in all projects undertaken.
- Monitor ongoing IP projects and monitor necessary narrative and financial reports in accordance with IP requirements as well as donor requirements.
Resource mobilization, financial sustainability and resilience
- Actively seek financing opportunities in Colombia, Brazil and the region and develop / maintain strong working relationships with partners and donors.
- Develop and participate in strategic fundraising dialogues to increase the understanding and influence of potential funders for Colombia and the region.
- The regional directorate is primarily responsible for leading the regional fundraising, for which there will be unconditional support from GT and, ideally, specifically dedicated team for this theme at the local level in Colombia.
Job requirements
Education
- Relevant academic training (international law, political science, sociology, among others) or similar experience
- Postgraduate studies will be valued.
Experience
- Minimum 6 years of work experience and at least 3 years as Executive Director or in a similar position of a national NGO.
- A solid experience and a proven track record of management achievements at the national level.
- Preferably with experience in international organizations, working with vulnerable populations, rural communities, human rights defenders and social leaders.
- Extensive knowledge of the national – and ideally regional – context, including human rights issues and strong experience working with human rights defenders and in close collaboration with civil society.
- Colombian citizenship or legal authorization to work in Colombia.
Skills and knowledge
- Commitment to the IP mission and to the work of human rights defenders
- Excellent knowledge of the international human rights system, as well as international, regional and national mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders
- Demonstrated ability to plan strategically
- Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to work in a flexible environment
- Management experience
- Alliance creator
- Strong negotiation skills and ability to influence others
- Ability to motivate peers and take leadership
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural team with respect for diversity.
- Ability to travel around the region and abroad
- Commit to maintaining confidentiality with respect to internal affairs
Languages
- Fluency in Spanish and English is required orally and in writing.
Other requisites
- The selected person must have a work permit in Colombia.
What we offer
- The possibility of gaining first-hand experience and knowledge on strategies to support human rights defenders and community journalists.
- An open, friendly and multicultural work environment.
- A way of working focused on people and collaboration.
- A great respect for autonomy, space for creativity, innovation and learning.
- A contract of a duration of 1 year, renewable according to the performance achieved.
- The full salary offer will be informed to the final candidates.
How to apply
Application process
If you meet the above aptitude requirements and are interested in applying for this position, please:
- Send your resume (without your photograph) and his letter of motivation, in Spanish, up to the November 30, 2023 a calls.colombia@protectioninternational.org mentioning in “ Representative PI Colombia / Brazil ”.
- Include your name in the file name of your application documents, for example Maria_Gonzalez_CV.doc.
- Send the names and contact details of three references along with your request. Do not attach any certificates at this stage of the recruitment process.
Applications will be reviewed continuously and the position will remain published until a person is selected. Only preselected persons will be contacted.
You can get more information about Protection International at www.protectioninternational.org/es and on social networks Twitter and Facebook of the organization.
Protection International strives to promote diversity. The organization will take affirmative action measures to ensure non-discrimination in job advertisements, hiring and other conditions of employment, avoiding discrimination against any job applicant or employee based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or others.
Adhering to Protection International means complying with our Code of Conduct and Ethics, Anti-Corruption Policy, Security Policy, Protection Policy against Harassment, Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.
